Vikings re-sign Terence Newman, NFL's oldest on defense

FILE - In this Dec. 17, 2017, file photo, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Terence Newman (23) celebrates with teammate Brian Robison (96) after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Minneapolis. The Vikings have re-signed Newman, bringing the NFL’s oldest active defensive player back for a 16th season that will begin five days after he turns 40. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)(Photo: The Associated Press)

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have re-signed cornerback Terence Newman, bringing the NFL's oldest active defensive player back for a 16th season that will begin five days after he turns 40.

Newman, who has played the last three years with the Vikings, has 42 career interceptions to lead all active players in the league. With Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes the starters on the outside, Newman and Mackensie Alexander remain the primary options to play the slot in the nickel defense. The Vikings also drafted Mike Hughes out of Central Florida in the first round Thursday.

The Vikings exercised the fifth-year contract option on Waynes , too, on a busy Monday.

The NFL announced that practice squad wide receiver Cayleb Jones has been suspended for the first four games of the regular season for violating the performance-enhancing substances policy, the second Vikings player to do so this month. Backup linebacker Kentrell Brothers also got a four-game ban.

Finally, the Vikings signed 17 college free agents, including South Dakota State wide receiver Jake Wieneke, a Minnesota native.